Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.1730

c9.1730

Once Brahmā went to Puṣkara to perform a sacrifice. Śiva, Viṣṇu and all the hermits came there. Everything was ready for the sacrifice according to convention. But Sāvitrī, who had been engaged in household duties had not yet arrived. So a priest was sent to bring her. Sāvitrī said to the priest, "I have not finished dressing. There are so many things to be done here. Moreover, Lakṣmī, Bhavānī, Gaṅgā, Svāhā, Indrāṇī, celestial women, wives of Ṛṣis (hermits), none of these have arrived yet. How can I enter the hall as the only woman?" The priest returned and reported that it was not convenient for Sāvitrī to come just then, as she had so much work to do. Brahmā became angry and said to Indra. "Lord Indra, it is up to you to bring me a wife from wherever you like. But it must be done instantly." Hearing the order of Brahmā, Indra selected Gāyatrī who was a good-natured damsel of a cowherd's family, and brought her to the sacrificial dais. With the blessings of the hermits and gods, Brahmā held her hand and acknowledged her as his wife. Sāvitrī dressed well, adorned herself with ornaments and reached the sacrificial hall. She saw the marrige scene and became furious. Everybody in the hall held their breath, thinking of the approaching danger. Trembling with anger Sāvitrī said "Lo; Brahmā, how is it that you have committed this sin? Have you not married me with fire as witness? I am your wife. Are you not ashamed of this?" The three godheads shivered with fear. Sāvitrī cursed everybody. The curse given to Brahmā was that no body should worship him on any other day except the month of Kārttika in the year. She cursed Indra that enemies would enter the world of gods and would make Indra their captive. Sāvitrī cried out that Viṣṇu would take the birth of man by the curse of Bhṛgu. She cursed Śiva that he would lose his manliness. She gave Agni the curse that he would eat anything and everything without the discrimination of purity or impurity. She cursed the Brahmins that they would, in future perform sacrifice merely with a view to obtain gifts and that they would be wandering about from temple to temple and from tīrtha to tīrtha merely for gain."